Raleigh 753 - all by SBDU?

[roadking]

Really guys.

I apologise - sincerely. Let's all go down the pub and drinks on me.

Roadking.

 

[Jamiedyer]

Thats better

I'm in
Now thats better Thirsts quenched.........a more relaxed state.......leaves us more open for a informative discussion, after all we are all mates.
Dont want anyone to think its too stuffy to ask any questions, after all thats how we learn is it not?
Besides, this is a very informative thread and I dont want to see it die...........so who's up for a second round, my shout this time.
Cheers
Jamie

 

[tonyf39]

Just out of curiosity and as it's been an interesting read about the various 'factions' of Raleigh at the upper echelon anyone recall a Colin Hyde at the SPD?
Got a mugshot of him on my cert for the Titanium frame I own, would have been built around 1996/97.

 

[bikemeister2000]

Yes, I remember Colin Hyde.
When we set up the Lightweight Division, all of our assemblers had a card with their picture on it. They were given a frame, fork, pair of wheels, a sub-assembled handlebar and a box with the rest of the components in. They then built the bike into a ready-to-ride condition.

Colin not only assembled the bikes, he also worked on brazed frames, and later on welded titantium frames.

Anyone got other assemblers cards out there?

Let's see who has either Clive Hodgson or Brenda Heard.

Best regards

 

[Rogerrabbit1964]

This question is aimed at Bikemeister2000;

Could a 753 Raleigh have been built at Worksop in 1988? If so, would it have had a W format serial number or an SB serial number?

I have believed that a W serial number frame cannot be made of 753. I have never seen a 753 "Worksop" frame, but there is one up for sale in Australia at the moment. It is a respray but according to the seller it was 753 labelled from new according to where he bought it from. He has no doubt, and reading this thread it seems I may be wrong in my belief.

A link to the bike is Below. If you could shed some light it would be appreciated.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RALEIGH-...cling_Bikes&hash=item3a71b396ab#ht_1025wt_362

 

[roadking]

...Could a 753 Raleigh have been built at Worksop in 1988? If so, would it have had a W format serial number or an SB serial number?

Quite clearly NO.

Worksop was closed in 1981 - this is a fact, common knowledge, and in the public domain.

If you have someone/a seller claiming a frame is a 1988 Worksop one, then they are ill informed (as many are) or being less than honest. After Worksop closed the better frames made in Nottingham (often referred to as Lightweight Unit frames in the retail literature of the time) were number prefixed with a'W' - this was to differentiate these products from their lesser (Raleigh) and superior (SBDU) brethren.

In addition, with regard to the SBDU at Ilkeston, production numbers were low and framesets were built in many tubesets - 531C, 531P, 753R and 753T (not saying there weren't others).

There is a great deal of"passing off"these days or"cloning" - dressing a frame up to pass off as something more exclusive.

Roadking.

 

[Rogerrabbit1964]

Thanks, and I realize I have misled with my question. I have always thought of W frames as Worksop, but of course they later came from Nottingham. I should rephrase.

Were any "W" serial numbered frames from 1988 ever made from 753?

Roger

1976 SB 753 road, 1979 SB TT Special 753, 82 ex Raleigh Team track bike, 1968 Raleigh badged Giro d'Italia, 1971 Carlton Flyer TT, 1980 Team replica track bike, 1980 Team replica road, 1979 Falcon San Remo.

 

[roadking]

I cannot pretend that this is a definitive - but I believe the answer to your question is no. My reasoning being

1. 753 introduced circa 1975 ("T"and"R"in 1977),

and

2. SBDU created in 1974.

Given GOD ran the SBDU when it was created at Ilkeston I would find it difficult to believe that Worksop built frames in 753 - as all or most of the top builders at Carlton moved to the SBDU.

I will ask someone I know who worked at both Carlton and the SBDU - he'll know.

Please don't expect a rapid reply though.

Roadking.

 

[Midlife]

rogerrabbit1964

slightly off topic but a pic of your Falcon san-remo would be nice

Shaun

 

[Rogerrabbit1964]

Pics of the Falcon are here. While I had it since new, it did get a respray around 1992 and again more recently. Originally it was the dark blue with a sticker front badge, hence no badge now.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerrabbit1964/sets/72157623150075887/

Most of my other bikes are also on the same site.

Cheers
Roger